There is only one activity in truth. This entire universe is this one activity, manifesting the glory and substance of the Absolute. At different times this activity may be called ‘speaking’, ‘writing’, ‘resting’, ‘going’ or ‘living’ but at all times it is manifesting the substance of the Absolute. Name and form change but the Absolute does not. The ocean and its waves are of the same substance; the waves are in motion and ever changing, but the substance, water, remains the same.
This series of courses looks a the Universal Principles, the forces that govern the creation and our how our understanding of these can help us navigate this life harmoniously.
Pre-requisite to the Philosophy and Universal Order Courses:
Wisdom Within and one of either
Happiness OR
Love and one of either
Presence of Mind OR
Philosophy and Freedom
and at least 2 of the The Way to Freedom Titles
These three are considered the essential on your spiritual journey. This 11 week course will reveal how our practical experience in everyday life can alter when these principles are put into practice.
As a basis for our study we will take a statement from an ancient Indian lawgiver
called Manu. At one point ten laws, or principles for living, are given.
This is the statement:
Patience, forgiveness, self-control, not stealing, purification,
mastery over sensory organs, spiritual intellect, spiritual
knowledge, truth and lack of anger are the ten aspects of law.
During the term we will consider one or two of these each week.
The ancient Advaita philosophy indicates that the Self and its nature are concealed or covered, hidden from view. The covering works much like the way the sun is covered by clouds. The sun does not stop shining and is unaffected by the clouds and yet, when covered, its light appears much dimmer. When the clouds depart the sun is seen to be shining in all its glory still.
This term we will look at the 5 sheaths or coverings which conceal the nature of the Self.
This term we will be introduced to the practice of reflection. The Sanskrit word which we translate as reflection is cintana.
The general idea in the practice of reflection, as we will be introduced to it, is to allow the mind to rest on a statement of truth and to allow the meaning and significance of that statement to enter into the being.